Set by the law · ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(1)
Confidentiality of communications
In plain English
EU countries must protect the confidentiality of communications and traffic data on public networks. Listening, tapping, storing or other interception by anyone other than the users is banned without their consent, unless legally authorised.
The official text
Member States shall ensure the confidentiality of communications and the related traffic data by means of a public communications network and publicly available electronic communications services, through national legislation. In particular, they shall prohibit listening, tapping, storage or other kinds of interception or surveillance of communications and the related traffic data by persons other than users, without the consent of the users concerned, except when legally authorised to do so
Related
The official text is quoted word for word from the English version of the source named under it; only the version published in the Official Journal of the EU is legally binding. The plain-English line is Fino’s own summary, not legal advice.